Tennis Tennis French Open: Serena crushes Nara to reach third round Serena Williams outclassed Japanese World No. 238 Kurumi Nara in a 6-3, 6-2 win to reach the third round of French Open. AFP 30 May, 2019 19:39 IST Williams could face World No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals . - Getty Images AFP 30 May, 2019 19:39 IST Serena Williams put her nervy start to the French Open behind her by thrashing Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara on Thursday to step up her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.The 37-year-old cruised into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.Williams will face Sofia Kenin for a last-16 spot, after her fellow American received a walkover following Canadian Bianca Andreescu's withdrawal through injury.“I'm very serious when I play, but I'm happy,” she said.The three-time Roland Garros title winner had racked up her 800th career main draw win in a first-round match against Vitalia Diatchenko, which saw her unveil her 'mother, champion, queen, goddess' logo on her playing gear, despite dropping the opening set.A mouthwatering quarter-final clash with Naomi Osaka, who famously beat Williams in a dramatic 2018 US Open final, remains a possibility after the world number one's thrilling three-set win over Victoria Azarenka.Williams was back at her best on Thursday, hammering 10 aces and 36 winners past Nara as she looks to draw level with Margaret Court's all-time record of major singles titles.Her last Grand Slam trophy came at the 2017 Australian Open before taking a break from the sport to give birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia.World number 238 Nara, who stands a mere 5ft 1in (1.55m), showed some early resistance in a marathon sixth game that featured nine deuces, saving six break points to leave her illustrious opponent frustrated.But 10th seed Williams did break in Nara's next service game, powering a forehand return past the world number 238, before serving out the opening set with ease.The match was as good as over as a serious contest just three games into the second set, when Williams took advantage of her third break point to claim a 2-1 lead.And Williams cantered through as Nara wilted, sealing the win on her second match point with an ace. Read more stories on Tennis. For more updates, follow Sportstar on :